The Melbourne Cup Carnival will draw to a close today, Saturday, 10 November, with large crowds expected to flock to Flemington for a day of family fun at Emirates Stakes Day.
With fine weather forecast for Melbourne, Flemington will come alive for the running of the $1 million Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic at 2:15pm and the $1 million Group 1 Emirates Stakes at 3:00pm.
On the Carnival’s traditional family day, children, teenagers and families will have an opportunity to shine in their finest racing attire for the Emirates Stakes Day Fashions on the Field.
The winners will take home a host of great prizes, including four overseas holidays flying Emirates, TCL LCD TVs and Myer shopping sprees.
Victoria Racing Club Chief Executive Dale Monteith said Emirates Stakes Day will conclude what has been a very successful Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“With fine weather forecast, we encourage families to make the most of the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere of Emirates Stakes Day,” said Mr Monteith.
This morning Mr Monteith and the connections of wonder mare Black Caviar will announce Flemington’s Group 1 premier weight-for-age sprint in the autumn will be renamed the Black Caviar Lightning.
“Seven of Black Caviar’s 22 victories have been at Flemington, including five Group 1s, so it is appropriate she will be immortalised with a race in her honour at headquarters,” Mr Monteith said.
Teen sensation Reece Mastin will perform at 3:20pm in The Zone, a free fun-filled entertainment area for families and children, located in The Precinct.
Gates opened at 9:30am, with the first race of the day commencing at 11:30am. Trains are departing from Flinders Street Station every four minutes until 12:30pm – then every five minutes until 1:00pm – stopping at Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations and then express to Flemington Racecourse.
With more than 55,000 patrons travelling home by train from Flemington on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, public transport is the most convenient way to travel to and from Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.
Limited tickets are still available from ticketmaster.com.au or by phone on 1300 136 122, and at Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations. Children 15 years and under are free (must be accompanied by an adult).
The official flower for Emirates Stakes Day is the Red Rose.
